Signs & Symptoms
What is a common physical symptom of anxiety?
Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.
What simple practice can help slow your heart rate and calm your body?
Deep breathing.
Name one common trigger for anger.
Examples: feeling disrespected, being criticized, unmet expectations.
Is sleeping extra when stressed a healthy or unhealthy coping skill?
Depends.
✅ Healthy if it’s restorative rest.
❌ Unhealthy if it’s oversleeping/avoiding life responsibilities.
What simple daily practice can help track mood and progress?
Journaling.
Feeling hopeless, worthless, and loss of interest are symptoms of what disorder?
Depression.
What’s one coping skill that uses the 5 senses to reduce anxiety?
The 5–4–3–2–1 grounding technique
What type of stress often comes from financial issues, health problems, or work pressures?
External stress.
Is using humor to deflect feelings considered healthy or unhealthy?
Depends
✅ Healthy when it lightens the mood and helps reframe stress.
❌ Unhealthy if it prevents addressing real emotions or creates denial.
What type of meeting provides peer support and accountability for recovery?
Support groups (e.g., AA, NA, SMART Recovery).
True or False: Anger can sometimes be a mask for sadness or depression.
True
Setting a small, achievable goal for the day is part of what depression strategy?
Behavioral activation.
Internal triggers usually come from where?
Our own thoughts, feelings, or memories.
Is working overtime to stay distracted considered healthy or unhealthy?
Depends.
✅ Healthy if it’s purposeful productivity and financial stability.
❌ Unhealthy if it’s avoidance of emotions or causes burnout.
Name one benefit of having sober support peers.
accountability, encouragement, shared coping strategies, reduced isolation.
Difficulty concentrating and constant worrying are hallmark symptoms of what condition?
Anxiety
Replacing negative self-talk with positive or realistic thoughts is called what?
Cognitive restructuring (or reframing).
True or False: Triggers always cause relapse.
False – triggers increase risk but can be managed with coping skills.
Is talking about stress with friends who also use substances considered healthy or unhealthy?
Unhealthy
❌ Risk of enabling and reinforcing substance use.
✅ (Rare exception) if they are supportive and sober — but generally not safe.
What’s one recovery tool you can use when overwhelmed by multiple tasks?
Break tasks into smaller steps / prioritization.
What are the “3 A’s” that can describe how anger often shows up?
Aggression, avoidance, or acting out.
What coping skill involves focusing on the present moment without judgment?
Mindfulness.
What is the first step in managing a trigger?
Identifying and recognizing it.
Is taking a break from responsibilities considered healthy or unhealthy?
Depends
✅ Healthy when it’s short-term self-care or rest.
❌ Unhealthy if it turns into chronic avoidance or procrastination.
True or False: Recovery tools only work if you feel motivated.
False – using tools regularly builds motivation and resilience.